Network Services Engineer SME

Network Services Engineer SME

LOCATION: Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA

Salary Range: $150-160,000 annually

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: Secret

CERTIFICATION: n/a

TRAVEL: Limited; as needed

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Network Services Engineer SME located at Hanscom AFB in Bedford Massachusetts supporting the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/PEO Electronic Systems Directorate (AFLCMC/HB) within the HBU Force Protection Division at Hanscom AFB.

The HBU Force Protection Division supports Air Force and Joint users with site surveys, security system installations, and technology development for force protection, including programs like Integrated Base Defense Security Systems (IBDSS), Tactical Automated Security System (TASS), Fixed Site Security, Modeling & Simulation, and Advanced Technology initiatives.

The Network Services Engineer SME will provide expert-level network engineering, acquisition, and sustainment support, including requirements analysis, system design, accreditation, implementation, cyber security, and lifecycle management for mission-critical systems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Clearance: Must have and be able to maintain a Secret clearance
• Education & Experience: Bachelor's Degree with 25 years of experience, 15 years in the DoD
  • OR 30 years of directly related experience with proper certifications, 20 years in the DoD
• Must be a US citizen

PREFERRED QUALIFICIATIONS:

• Master's or Doctorate Degree in a related field with at least 20 years of experience, 12 years in the DoD

• Linux Red Hat and Linux security hardening experience desired

• Cisco Network design experience desired

• CCNA or CCNP or equivalent certifications highly desired

• Technical Skills:

  • Expert-level knowledge of DoD network architectures, communications security, and IA/Cybersecurity requirements

  • Proficiency with network engineering tools (e.g., Cisco IOS, Juniper OS, Wireshark, SolarWinds)

  • Hands-on experience with routing/switching, VPNs, firewalls, encryption, and boundary security technologies

  • Familiarity with DISA Commercial Ethernet Gateway architectures, Cross Domain Solutions, and HAIPE technology

  • Ability to analyze network capacity, latency, throughput, and performance for mission-critical systems

  • Experience integrating network designs with Agile software execution and service-oriented architectures

• Interpersonal Skills:

  • Ability to lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams across multiple technical domains

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for briefings, reports, and recommendations to senior leaders

  • Collaborative mindset for working with program managers, acquisition teams, and cybersecurity professionals

  • Problem-solving approach with attention to mission objectives, timelines, and resource constraints

  • Capacity to manage multiple priorities in high-tempo acquisition environments

RESPONSIBILITIES:

In this Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) role, you will provide expert-level support to Department of Defense (DoD) programs by assisting government leadership with decision-making, planning, and execution throughout the acquisition lifecycle. You will apply your technical and/or professional expertise to ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations, contribute to mission success, and help deliver critical capabilities to the warfighter.

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Develop requirements from project inception to completion for complex programs.

• Provide strategic advice, technical guidance, and expert analysis to program staff.

• Conduct reviews, analyses, and evaluations for network design, compliance, and performance.

• Prepare technical documents, management reports, and technical presentations.

• Support acquisition, development, integration, fielding, and sustainment activities.

• Perform system validation, testing, and configuration management.

• Analyze and recommend network requirements, architecture, and security controls.

• Install, test, maintain, and upgrade network systems and software.

• Diagnose and resolve network problems, monitor capacity and performance, and recommend backup/recovery procedures.

• Provide life cycle network engineering support and oversee modernization efforts.

• Support cyber security accreditation and compliance with DoD and DISA requirements.

• Create and maintain network design diagrams and failure recovery procedures.

• Support Agile software execution and service-oriented architecture development.

• Facilitate DISA engineering for new communications architectures and acquisition of circuits.